Protest Art Around the World #4
India’s Protests and Web comics
For more than 50 days people in Shaheen Bagh, a neighbourhood in New Delhi, have protested the contentious ‘Citizenship Amendment Act’ (legislation that excludes Muslims and refugees from fast-tracked citizenship applications) and the ‘National Register of Citizens’ (a citizenship test).
Web comics are an art form that has helped to explain the protests as they unfold. The movement began in the northeast of India, but has spread as many see the legislation as an attack on the country’s secular identity.
.
Here, illustrator @sadak.chhaap.ladki focuses on the women who have led protests at Shaheen Bagh.
Images (l-r): Protest scenes - Glowing faces of women of Shaheen Bagh’ 25.12.19.‘Protest scenes - women of Shaheen Bagh, 28.12.19“Yes, I come here everyday. Since last 10-15 days. Yesterday they were announcing that police will come and move us, but nothing happened. We are not scared of them. We didn’t say anything during demonetisation and Babri verdict. Now we won’t stay silent even if they kill us. Who are they to kick us out of our country.” - 82 year old protestor from Shaheen Bagh..‘
Protest scenes. “We want peaceful protest and the government want to start riots. They are telling us to move the protest to gate no. 9. Yes, put us in a corner so that nobody can listen to us. We are not scared. The government is planning to move us out of our homes, so we will occupy the streets.
Since the Citizenship Amendment Act was passed in India in early December, many artists have turned to humour to galvanise the dispersed protests. Creatives have formed new collectives to share web comics and posters that can then be printed by protestors.
Established comic designer @appupen is part of the collective @braindedindia who comment on current social issues. His work in support of those joining the protests is shown here
Image: @braindedindia
The Indian government is still considering whether to roll out the controversial National Register of Citizens amid ongoing protests. The proposed scheme would identify undocumented migrants. It follows the passing of the Citizen Amendment Act that would fast track naturalisation for some religious minorities, but excludes Muslims.⠀
This illustration by @debarpun reflects on the divisions that many who protest the register think it creates. Hindustan is a historic name for the Republic of India and Hindu Rashtra a concept calling for the protection of Hindu people and culture.
Images (l-r): @debarpun: "Which one do you qualify for?⠀